Enormous whale shark descends through divers from above

Scuba divers from all around the world consider the Galapagos Islands to be one of their bucket list travel destinations. There are many reasons that they feel the allure of this world. It could be the hammerheads that congregate in enormous schools, the sea turtles in abundance, the harsh, yet beautiful landscape that has caused such unique adaptations in the animal life. For many, it is the chance to see whale sharks, the biggest shark in the ocean and one of the largest animals alive. The Galapagos provide a very real possibility of encountering one or two. The three distinct ocean currents that converge here bring an abundance of food and create ideal conditions for whale sharks during certain months.Show more

Imagine the dream coming true for these divers as they are carried along on the current, exploring the waters around Darwin Island, one of the most iconic locations in the world. A large shadow appeared over their heads and they realized that not only were they seeing one of the majestic beasts above, but she was descending right toward them. She is a large, pregnant female, over fifty feet in length. Possibly curious, possibly somehow aware of their admiration, she circles slowly as she dives, passing through their bubbles and among the group. Some of the divers had ascended to 60 feet, as the dive was nearing its end. Others remained at eighty feet. Incredibly, this whale shark spiraled downward, giving them all a breathtaking view as she did so. From the cameraman’s point of view, the divers below were only partially visible but their bubbles show their position and the whale shark can be seen gracefully passing by them.

The divers below couldn’t resist and they sank slowly with her, prolonging the encounter as much as they could. For a scuba diver, such a meeting is unforgettable and extremely emotional.